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Sikh Values

Core Sikh values

Sourced from sikhiwiki.org

1. One God for all the Universe and all the peoples.

2. Gender equality:- From about 1499, Sikhi accepted women as the equal of men, who have allthe rights and privileges enjoyed by men. Women are considered to have the same soul as men

and have an equal right to grow spiritually. Sikh women are allowed to lead religious

congregations, to take part in Akhand Path (the continuous recitation of the Holy Scriptures), to

perform Kirtan (singing hymns from Guru Granth Sahib), to work as a Granthi (priest) or a

preacher and to participate freely in all religious, cultural, social, political and secular activities.

3. Race equality:- The Sikh Gurus have emphasised the concept of the equality of mankind in

the sacred verses found in the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak says in JapjiSahib: "Accept all humans as your equals, and let them be your only sect" (Japji 28), and Guru

Gobind Singh tell the world: "manas ki jat sabhe eke paihcanbo - recognise all of mankind as a

single caste of humanity". Therefore, Sikhs believe that all human beings are equal. We are all

sons and daughters of Waheguru, the Almighty Lord is the message promoted by the Sikh

Gurus.

4. Remember God (Naam Japo):- This is one of the three pillars of Sikhism; the remembrance

of God by repeating and focussing the mind on His name and His blessings.

5. Honest work (Kirat Karni):- To work and earn by the "sweat of the brow", to live a family way

of life, and practice truthfulness and honesty in all dealings is a fundamental part of Sikhi. The

term means to carry out good deeds and earn a honest, pure and upright livelihood by

exercising ones God given skills, abilities, talents and hard labour for the benefit and

improvement of the individual, their family and society at large.

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8/13/2019 Sikh Values

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8/13/2019 Sikh Values

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Sikh Values

emotional pressures; from humiliation, oppression, victimization, feelings of inferiority,

persecution of one's group, and other kinds of discrimination, etc. These external agents are

relentless and become such a strain that many suffer constantly in pain.

11. Sewa and support for the weak:- Sikhism is founded on the principles of Sarbat da bhalla -

working towards the "common good of all". For Sikhs, this means reaching out to serve and

uplift all of humanity as an expression or devotion to the Creator. Many other Sikh institutes,

such as Guru-ka-Langar, Kirtan, Paath, etc., depend on the performance of Seva by many in

the congregation. So the principles of Seva underpin many Sikh values - such is the importance

given to Seva in Sikhism.

Seva or Karseva also shortened to Sewa is a word used to refer to "selfless service" or

"free-voluntary service", performed without any thought of reward or personal benefit. Doing

'Seva' is a central Sikh tenet; all Sikhs are encouraged by their Guru (Guru Granth Sahib) to

perform Seva or Selfless Service within the community. Not only is this good for community

relations but it is also good and moral uplifting of the person performing the voluntary service.

12. Live to the highest spiritual level:- O Lord, give me this boon. May I never ever shirk from

doing good deeds. Never may I fear when I go to fight the enemy. With surety, victory will bemine

13. Don't use force:- Kabeer, to use force is tyranny, even if you call it legal. When your account

is called for in the Court of the Lord, what will your condition be then? 187 (SGGS p1374)

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